All Resources

Journal Article

Scope on the Skies: The school year in space

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue features planet observations, eclipses, launches, and the International Space Station's (ISS) continued growth....

Journal Article

Chemistry by the Case

This article describes the structure and content of a one-semester course dealing with chemistry, science, and technology designed for nonscience majors. The course uses a hybrid of two active learning methodologies—problem-based team learning and ...

Journal Article

From Galileo to Snowflake Bentley: Using Literature to Teach Inquiry in Middle School Science

In this article, the authors create new possibilities for using award-winning literature to teach science. Paired texts, or two texts that are related conceptually, are used to integrate science and literacy standards. Literature clusters that addres...

Journal Article

Healthy Water, Healthy People

Learn to differentiate between accuracy and precision with this data-collection activity from the Healthy Water, Healthy People Water Quality Educators Guide....

Journal Article

After the Bell: Parents as teachers—how teachers can help parents promote science literacy

This article contains three simple, highly effective strategies that can be shared with parents to encourage students' more active learning, thinking, and processing of information....

Journal Article

Editor's Note (September 2002)

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue. Many of the articles relate to nature....

Journal Article

Tech Trek: Who solved the longitude problem?

This activity is a practical example of how a middle school science teacher can use a variety of media to conduct an in-depth exploration....

Journal Article

Computer-Assisted Instruction

Whether it takes the form of a tutorial, simulation, or educational game, computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is becoming a permanent part of science education. In this article, the author shares some of the current research that demonstrates the suc...

Journal Article

Picturing Physics: Using an image, students determine the distance from an object to the camera

To demonstrate the digital camera's use as a scientific instrument, this exercise challenges students' scientific creativity and provides an experience in the scientific research process. Students designed and carried out experiments to determine the...

Journal Article

Using POE Centers

Predict, Observe, and Explain (POE) centers can be used in the classroom to provide simple and focused activities that promote scientific inquiry skills. This article provides instructions for setting up a POE center, along with several suggestions f...

Journal Article

Energy: Fuel for Thought

Energy is what makes things move, light up, and radiate warmth—energy makes things happen and makes our lives easier, too. But despite the importance of energy to every aspect of our lives, many Americans are not adequately armed with the basic ene...

Journal Article

Refocusing Natural Resource Management

Achieving scientific literacy requires students to understand how science is applied in the real world. A capstone class at Virginia Tech focuses on the role science and scientists play in the process of natural resource management. As a result, stud...

Journal Article

The Case Study: Twixt Fact and Fiction

What shall it be, a real case connected to the real world with blood, sweat, and tears or a fantasy, a twice-told tale by a spinner of yarns around a campfire on a summer night? When a teacher sits down to write a case, he is lured by the former and ...

Journal Article

Snail Trails

Sharpen students' experimental design and observation skills with the help of gastropods. This article describes a five-day activity that incorporates guided and inquiry-based learning. Students spend some time observing the snails, then design and c...

Journal Article

Says Who? Students apply their critical-analysis skills to fight town hall

Biology students critique and challenge a public health proposal to limit citizen exposure to environmental toxins. They won the challenge and learned that while they are only in high school, their abilities to analyze and criticize a public documen...